3Com and National Geographic Announce Winners of 3Com's 2nd Annual ``Connecting Heroes'' Essay Contest.

Business Editors/Education Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2000

Award Ceremony at Monterey Bay Aquarium to Honor

Winners and Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle

3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS), an innovative Internet access and networking company, and National Geographic today announce the winners of the 2nd Annual 3Com "Connecting Heroes" Essay Contest! The essay contest, which ran from August to November of this year, was open to students nationwide and was created in conjunction with the National Geographic Expedition's Outpost web page, which 3Com sponsored.

In partnering with National Geographic, 3Com chose oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle as this year's featured hero. Students were able to follow her explorations of our nation's marine-life through her Sustainable Seas program. The web page allowed school children to learn first-hand the incredible commitment and dedication behind the success of Dr. Earle. Through the web page and the essay contest, students had the opportunity to learn how Dr. Earle tirelessly calls for the preservation and exploration of the world's marine ecosystems, making her a treasured hero.

Dr. Earle will speak at the Connecting Heroes award ceremony scheduled in the aquarium's "Tide Machine" area at 10:00 a.m., December 2, 2000.

"We're thrilled to host this special event to recognize these students' accomplishments as well as their heroes that connect them to the environment," said Monterey Bay Aquarium Public Relations Manager Mimi Hahn. "The aquarium introduces school children to marine life on a daily basis and we're pleased that we are able to serve as the backdrop for the awards ceremony and Dr. Earle's visit."

"Through the Connecting Heroes program, 3Com has helped educate students on the importance of connecting with the heroes of their daily life," said Jan Rasmussen, Director of Consumer Public Relations, 3Com. "Education is vital to our world's children and we are encouraging children through our Connecting Heroes program to consider their `connections' with the heroes in their own lives."

Geared for children in 4th through 12th grades, the Connecting Heroes Essay Contest asked students to write essays explaining who their hero is and how this hero has impacted how the student connects with the world. The essays, which were judged by Chicago area teachers, were critiqued on originality, creativity, organizational structure, clarity, neatness, legibility, spelling and grammar. The essays were divided into three grade categories (4th-6th, 7th-8th and 9th-12th grades), and one winner was selected from each category. The winners are:

4th-6th Grade

"My hero is Mrs. Celeste Bunting. She has helped me understand how important the environment is. Mrs. Bunting has helped me learn to respect birds, butterflies and all sorts of animals."

Chase Harmon, Worcester Preparatory School, Berlin, MD

7th-8th Grade

"Albert Beauchamp works for my family on our farm in Dagsboro, Delaware. One day, while I was feeding our two horses, he asked me if I wanted to ride. Letting Albert teach me to ride horses was one of the best decisions of my life."

Luke Parsons, Worcester Preparatory School, Berlin, MD

9th-12th Grade

"It was only thirty minutes later that the rain stopped and I was able to leave the decrepit tent that was my shelter for the week. That was when I saw him. His name was Ken Mandell...My experience with Ken has taught me to deal with my everyday stresses in a calm manner."

Jesse Stolow, Wellington Community High School, Wellington, FL

In addition to an all-expense paid trip to Monterey, California, each winner will receive a home networking system complete with 3Com(R) HomeConnect(TM) PC Digital WebCam. The classrooms of each winner will also receive a suite of 3Com products and solutions. Winning entries will be posted on the 3Com "Connecting Heroes" web site (www.connectingheroes.com) and may also be posted on-site at the aquarium.

3Com Corporation

3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

Note to Editors: 3Com is a registered trademark and HomeConnect is a trademark of 3Com Corporation.